Tuesday, May 31, 2005

One Commandment

In recent years there has been much attention paid to the Ten Commandments because of all the media hype around public displays of these tenets of the Jewish and Christian faiths. My study of Scripture has led me to the conclusion that there is but one remaining commandment.

Love.

After Moses assembled all of Israel and read to them the Ten Commandments[1], he instructed them to love God with all their heart, soul and strength[2]. Jesus quotes Moses when he is asked about the Greatest Commandment[3]. Paul reaffirms Jesus’ command in his letter to the Romans when he concludes, “Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law”[4].

God was not satisfied to have the ritual obedience of the Hebrew nation. His goal was to circumcise their hearts, so that they could love him and have life[5]. He even sent prophets to serve as his mouthpiece to tell them:

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6, KJV).

4 comments:

Love indeed what God wants us to have not just by sight but also inside (heart). But that doesn't mean once we love, we're saved...have you read in the Bible that says even unbelievers do love, they love what they want so it is very easy to do. He meant us to love all, no exceptions. I think this is a very narrow relationship being expressed here...not to judge what you believe but to give insights that might help you more. Before I explain them, though I myself is a learner of His Word too, let me give you my feedback towards your comment about tithing, it says in the Bible itself that we should give one tenth of our labor (income) to the Church treasury, not to the poor nor any organizations, you may give them too but you have to give your tithes as well no matter what to the church (where you're a member). If you love your neighbor, isn't it that shouldn't be hard for us to give, coz if you love someone or something, you give right? isn't that helping the church helps all the christians fulfill to spread the gospel so that we may win many souls, and that we pleases God, not humans. Isn't it spreading the gospel is one of God's plan for all of us? Is it just love alone that we need to do? I doubt it brother. We need to understand and follow the New Testament. He gave us 10 Commandments, He warns us re the do's and don'ts right? we should be united, help, encouraged and grow with each other as followers of Jesus Christ. Hope that somehow I have explain some points about Him though there's so much more. Feel free to ask or comment on my posts. I accept cristism but as long as I speak the truth, I will hold on to it and my proof is The Word of God full of His inspiration for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16-17) God Bless you!

thanks for your comments, kirc...i think you gave this topic too narrow a reading, or maybe an understanding...Jesus said to love or enemies and those that hurt us...i'd suggest that no one is really doing that--unbelievers or otherwise...if we'll keep love central then others might know who we follow...i want to be known as a shepherd follower